Personal protection device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a personal protection device comprising a frame structure, a face shield structure configured to be supported by the frame structure, and a headband structure configured to be adjustably mounted on the frame structure, at least a portion of the frame structure being formed of a first molded polymeric material, and the headband structure being formed of a second molded stretchable polymeric material, wherein the first and second polymeric materials are each formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility, wherein the presence of the device on a health care worker in the facility is a visual indicator of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to personal protection devices.

BACKGROUND

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a surge in the need for personal protection equipment (PPE), and renewed emphasis on delineating regions inside hospitals, nursing homes and health institutions or facilities according to a state of health of the patient, occupant or resident. Doing so would enable those attending to the patient, occupant or resident to be quickly identified as having access rights to a designated one or more of such regions. Difficulties can sometimes arise when attempting to make such identifications both rapidly and correctly.

It would thus be desirable to provide novel approaches for addressing the above need, or at least to provide the public with one or more useful alternatives.

SUMMARY

An aspect may provide a personal protection device comprising a frame structure, a face shield structure configured to be supported by the frame structure, and a headband structure configured to be adjustably mounted on the frame structure. At least a portion of the frame structure is formed of a first molded polymeric material, and the headband structure being formed of a second molded stretchable polymeric material, wherein the first and second polymeric materials are each formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility. The presence of the device on a health care worker in the facility may provide a visual indicator of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility.

Another aspect may provide a frame structure, a personal protection structure configured to be supported by the frame structure, and a headband structure configured to be adjustably mounted on the frame structure. At least a portion of the frame structure may be formed of a first molded polymeric material, and the headband structure being formed of a second molded stretchable polymeric material, wherein the first and second polymeric materials are each formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility, wherein the presence of the device on a health care worker in the facility is a visual indicator of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility.

In some example embodiments, the personal protection structure may include a face shield structure.

In some example embodiments, the frame structure may include a pair of first engagement structures to engage the headband structure, and wherein the headband structure may have opposed end regions, with each end region including a corresponding group of a plurality of second engagement structures, each to engage a corresponding first engagement structure, thereby to provide a plurality of alternative settings for a user of the device.

In some example embodiments, each first engagement structure may comprise a post structure extending outwardly from the frame structure, with at least one tab structure laterally extending from the post structure. Each second engagement structure may comprise an elongate passage through a thickness of the headband structure, and which is dimensioned to resiliently extend over the at least one tab structures to engage the post structure.

In some example embodiments, the headband structure may have opposed end regions and a central region which is thickened in at least one dimension to stiffen an interface formed between the central region and a rear location of a user's head.

In some example embodiments, the central region may have a reduced first dimension when compared the opposed end regions, and an enlarged second dimension when compared to the opposed end regions.

Some example embodiments may further comprise a pair of opposed transition regions between the central region and a corresponding one of the opposed end regions.

In some example embodiments, at least the headband structure may be molded with at least one polymer or other suitable materials formulated according to a designated Pantone® color or other standardized color system to comply with a designated color code for a designated facility.

In some example embodiments, the headband structure and/or frame structure may be molded with respective at least one polymers or other suitable materials formulated according to a designated Pantone® color or other standardized color system to comply with a designated color code for a designated facility.

Another aspect may provide a headband as disclosed in any of the claims, clauses or examples in the present disclosure.

Another aspect may provide a kit of parts as disclosed in any of the claims, clauses or examples in the present disclosure.

Such kits may further comprise one or more of the frame structure and the personal protection structure as disclosed in any of the claims, clauses or examples in the present disclosure.

Another aspect may provide a collection of personal devices, as disclosed in any of the claims, clauses or examples in the present disclosure.

Another aspect may provide a collection of personal devices, which may comprise:

-   -   a first group of devices, wherein the first and second polymeric         materials or other suitable materials are each formulated         according to a first Pantone® color or other standardized color         system representing a color code to be visibly worn by workers         with access rights to at least one first zone of the facility;         and     -   a second group of devices, wherein the first and second         polymeric materials or other suitable materials are each         formulated according to a first Pantone® color or other         standardized color system representing a color code to be         visibly worn by workers with the access rights of the first         group plus access rights to at least one second zone restricted         to patients infected with a designated pathogen and/or         condition.

Another aspect may provide a personal protection device comprising a personal protection structure configured to be worn by a user, and a headband structure configured to be adjustably mounted on the personal protection structure. At least a portion of the headband structure may be formed of a stretchable polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material is formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility, wherein the presence of the device on a health care worker in the facility is a visual indicator of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

Several example embodiments of the present disclosure will be provided, by way of examples only, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 2A are left and right hand perspective views of a personal protection device;

FIGS. 3A to 6A are left side, front, right side and rear views of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 7A and 8A are top and bottom views of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 1B and 2B are left and right hand perspective views of another personal protection device;

FIGS. 3B to 6B are left side, front, right side and rear views of the device of FIG. 1B;

FIGS. 7B and 8B are top and bottom views of the device of FIG. 1B;

FIGS. 1C and 2C are left and right hand perspective views of another personal protection device;

FIGS. 3C to 6C are left side, front, right side and rear views of the device of FIG. 1C;

FIGS. 7C and 8C are top and bottom views of the device of FIG. 1C;

FIGS. 1D and 2D are left and right hand perspective views of another personal protection device;

FIGS. 3D to 6D are left side, front, right side and rear views of the device of FIG. 1D;

FIGS. 7D and 8D are top and bottom views of the device of FIG. 1D;

FIGS. 1E and 2E are left and right hand perspective views of another personal protection device;

FIGS. 3E to 6E are left side, front, right side and rear views of the device of FIG. 1E;

FIGS. 7E and 8E are top and bottom views of the device of FIG. 1E;

FIGS. 1F and 2F are left and right hand perspective views of another personal protection device;

FIGS. 3F to 6F are left side, front, right side and rear views of the device of FIG. 1F; and

FIGS. 7F and 8F are top and bottom views of the device of FIG. 1F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical, mechanical or other connections or couplings. The terms upper, lower, and vertical are intended for operative context only and are not necessarily intended to limit the invention only to those configurations or orientations. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical and/or other configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention. However, other alternative mechanical and/or other configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the instant disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a personal protection device is shown at 10 comprising a frame structure 12 and a personal protection structure 14 which is supported by the frame structure 12. A headband structure 16 is adjustably mounted on the frame structure 14. In this case, the personal protection structure 14 is a face shield structure, but may involve other features, such as masks, filters, protective guards and the like carried on the frame structure 12.

In some example embodiments, at least a portion of the frame structure 12 may be formed of a first molded polymeric material, while the headband structure 16 may be formed of a second molded stretchable polymeric material having elastomeric qualities to provide some degree of stretch to help fit and retain the device 10 the head of a user. The first and second polymeric materials may be the same or different, and one or both may each be formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility. In this manner, the presence of the device 10 worn by a health care worker in the facility may serve as a visual indicator (in this instance from the back, sides or front of the worker) of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility.

The frame structure 12 may include a pair of first engagement structures 20 to engage the headband structure 16, and the headband structure 16 may be provided with opposed end regions 22, with each end region 22 including a corresponding group of a plurality of second engagement structures 24. In this case, each of the second engagement structures 24 is configured to engage a corresponding first engagement structure 20, thereby to provide a plurality of alternative settings for different possible head sizes of a user of the device.

Each first engagement structure 20 may comprise a post structure 30 extending outwardly from the frame structure 12, with at least one, in this case a pair of opposed tab structures 32 laterally extending from the post structure 30. In this case, each second engagement structure may comprise an elongate passage 34 through a thickness of the headband structure 16, and which is dimensioned to resiliently extend over the tab structures 32 to engage the post structure. Other engagement structures may be configured to engage the headband structure 16 with the frame structure 12, such as by providing respective male and female structures, or other mateable fastener structures or interfaces on or between the headband structure 16 and the frame structure 12.

The headband structure 16 may be provided with a central region 38 between the opposed end regions 22, and which is thickened in at least one dimension to stiffen an interface formed between the central region 38 and a rear location of a user's head (not shown). The central region 38 may provide for enhanced fit, comfort, and/or durability. The central region 38 may also facilitate a molding step to form the headband structure 16.

In one example, the central region 38 may be provided with a reduced first thickness or other dimension D1 (FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A) when compared the opposed end regions 22, and an enlarged second thickness or other dimension D2 (FIGS. 1A and 7A) when compared to the opposed end regions 22.

The central region 38 may also be bordered by a pair of opposed transition regions 40 between the central region 38 and a corresponding one of the opposed end regions 22.

The headband structure 16 may be molded with at least one polymer or other suitable materials formulated according to a designated Pantone® color or other standardized color system to comply with a designated color code for a designated facility. The Pantone® color may be any ranging incrementally alphanumerically, or numerically, or a combination thereof, for instance in 0.1 increments from 100 to 5875 or as otherwise referenced at https:/.www.pantone-colours.com/, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Some examples of applicable Pantone® colors may include Pink (Pantone 806C), Yellow (Pantone #YELLOW C), Green: (Pantone 375C), Blue (Pantone PROCESS BLUE U) and Red (Pantone 186).

The headband structure 16 and frame structure 12 may be molded with respective polymers formulated according to a designated Pan tone® color as specified above, to comply with a designated color code for a designated facility.

Thus, a collection of personal devices 10 may be configured to provide:

-   -   first group of devices, wherein the first and second polymeric         materials are each formulated according to a first Pantone®         color representing a color code to be visibly worn by workers         with access rights to at least one first area or zone of the         facility; and     -   a second group of devices, wherein the first and second         polymeric materials are each formulated according to a second         Pantone® color representing a color code to be visibly worn by         workers with the access rights of the first group plus access         rights to at least one restricted area assigned to patients         infected with a designated pathogen and/or condition.

The first and second groups of devices may be illustrated, in one example, by a respective shading effect in FIGS. 1E to 7E and FIGS. 1F to 7F, which in these examples are illustrated as red and yellow respectively.

The collection of personal devices 10 may be provided in any quantity thereof satisfy both the numbers of workers as well as the number of levels of access rights.

Some example embodiments of headband structures may be manufactured by polymer injection molding, 3D printing or other fabrication techniques with suitably resilient polymer materials, such as polyethylene, and sold separately from a standard frame structure provided with the post and tab structures 30, 32. Alternatively, the headband structure may be provided with other engagement structure configurations as to complement other engagement structures on other versions of frame structures. Furthermore, the frame structure may be configured to support other examples of personal protection equipment such as combinations of face shield and face mask, and the like.

Some example embodiments may provide a personal protection device comprising a personal protection structure configured to be worn on by a user, and a headband structure configured to be adjustably mounted on the personal protection structure. In this case, at least a portion of the headband structure may be formed of a molded stretchable polymeric material, or otherwise formed, wherein the polymeric material is formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility, wherein the presence of the device on a health care worker in the facility is a visual indicator of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility. Such devices may thus be provided in more two or more groups of a plurality of personal protection devices each, with each group having a different color.

Also provided herein is a new, original, and ornamental design for a personal protection device, which may be provided as a face shield, or another structure to be supported by a configuration of the present disclosure.

The broken lines in FIGS. 1A to 8F are directed to one form of environment and are for illustrative purposes. The subject matter herein includes any of the present figures, or new figures based on the present figures, with one or more or less such broken lines shown in solid lines and vice versa. Thus, any change of such one or more broken lines to one or more solid lines, and vice versa, is not new matter.

Various example embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings. In the description, common features in the drawings are designated by common reference numbers throughout the drawings. Reference numbers used to identify features, structures, dimensions, or the like, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 8A, are to be considered to apply to the same features, structures, dimensions, or the like, as shown in FIGS. 2B to 8F.

FIGS. 1A to 8A illustrate a personal protection device with a headband structure and frame structure, along with a personal protection structure shown in broken lines.

FIGS. 1A to 8A and 1C to 8C illustrate surfaces with parallel lines representing planar surface regions. The subject matter herein includes surfaces without such planar surface regions.

FIGS. 1B to 8B illustrate a personal protection device with a headband structure, along with a frame structure and a personal protection structure shown in broken lines, with the headband structure including a number of elongate passages. The subject matter herein includes the headband structure per se, with or without the elongate passages.

FIGS. 1C to 8C illustrate a personal protection device with a headband structure having a central region in solid lines, and with opposed end regions, a frame structure and a personal protection structure shown in broken lines. The subject matter herein includes the headband structure per se.

FIGS. 1D to 8D illustrate a personal protection device with a wavy boundary line part way along the surfaces shown. The cross hatching on the surfaces in the areas in solid lines represent a color including any of those identified in the present disclosure. The subject matter herein includes FIGS. 1D to 7D without such cross hatching.

FIGS. 1E to 8E, and FIGS. 7F to 8F illustrate a personal protection device with a headband structure and frame structure solid lines and with shading to represent a color, such as shown as red and yellow respectively, but may include any of those identified in the present disclosure. The subject matter herein includes FIGS. 1E to 8E, and FIGS. 7F to 8F without such shading.

The design of the personal protection device is not limited to the scale shown herein.

What is claimed is the ornamental design for a device, as shown and described subject to amendment prior to allowance.

While the present disclosure describes various example embodiments, the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements, as will be readily appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art. 

1. A personal protection device comprising a frame structure, a personal protection structure configured to be supported by the frame structure, and a headband structure configured to be adjustably mounted on the frame structure, at least a portion of the frame structure being formed of a first molded polymeric material, and the headband structure being formed of a second molded stretchable polymeric material, wherein the first and second polymeric materials are each formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility, wherein the presence of the device on a health care worker in the facility is a visual indicator of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the personal protection structure includes a face shield structure.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the frame structure includes a pair of first engagement structures to engage the headband structure, and wherein the headband structure has opposed end regions, with each end region including a corresponding group of a plurality of second engagement structures, each to engage a corresponding first engagement structure, thereby to provide a plurality of alternative settings for a user of the device.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein each first engagement structure comprises a post structure extending outwardly from the frame structure, with at least one tab structure laterally extending from the post structure, and wherein each second engagement structure comprises an elongate passage through a thickness of the headband structure, and which is dimensioned to resiliently extend over the at least one tab structure to engage the post structure.
 5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the headband structure has opposed end regions and a central region which is thickened in at least one dimension to stiffen an interface formed between the central region and a rear location of a user's head.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein the central region has a reduced first dimension when compared the opposed end regions, and an enlarged second dimension when compared to the opposed end regions.
 7. A device as defined in claim 6, further comprising a pair of opposed transition regions between the central region and a corresponding one of the opposed end regions.
 8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least the headband structure is molded with at least one polymer formulated according to a designated Pantone® color to comply with a designated color code for a designated facility.
 9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the headband structure and frame structure are molded with respective at least one polymers formulated according to a designated Pantone® color to comply with a designated color code for a designated facility.
 10. A headband as defined in claim
 1. 11. A kit of parts comprising the headband as defined in claim
 1. 12. A kit as defined in claim 10, further comprising one or more of the frame structure and the personal protection structure as defined in claim
 1. 13. A collection of personal devices, each as defined in claim 1, comprising: a first group of devices, wherein the first and second polymeric materials are each formulated according to a first Pantone® color representing a color code to be visibly worn by workers with access rights to at least one first zone of the facility; and a second group of devices, wherein the first and second polymeric materials are each formulated according to a first Pantone® color representing a color code to be visibly worn by workers with the access rights of the first group plus access rights to at least one second zone restricted to patients infected with a designated pathogen and/or condition.
 14. A personal protection device comprising a personal protection structure configured to be worn by a user, and a headband structure configured to be adjustably mounted on the personal protection structure, at least a portion of the headband structure being formed of a stretchable polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material is formulated with a color to fall into a designated color code group to correspond to a designated access level for a designated restricted area of a healthcare facility, wherein the presence of the device on a health care worker in the facility is a visual indicator of the access rights attributed to the worker in at least one designated region in the facility. 